Jane Yellowrock must dig deep and find strength within herself if she is to survive in the latest novel in this New York Times bestselling series. Jane Yellowrock is vampire-killer-for-hire, but her last battle with an ancient arcane enemy has brought her low. She seeks retreat in the Appalachian Mountains to grieve the loss of her friends, and to heal—or to die—from the disease brought on by her magic. But malevolent elements in the paranormal community still seek to destroy Jane, and a terrifying foe stalks her, even into the safety of the hills. With nowhere to run and her body failing, the rogue-vampire hunter and her inner Beast must discover a way to defeat this new threat, and find a form that gives her a chance to fight another day. Praise for the Jane Yellowrock Novels   "A lot of series seek to emulate Hunter's work, but few come close to capturing the essence of urban fantasy: the perfect blend of intriguing heroine, suspense, [and] fantasy with just enough romance."--SF Site   "Jane is a fully realized, complicated woman; her power, humanity, and vulnerability make her a compelling heroine. The fight scenes are exciting and the New Orleans setting is absorbing, but it's the ever-evolving bond between Jane and her Beast personality that keeps this fun series fresh."-- Publishers Weekly   "Jane Yellowrock is smart, sexy, and ruthless."—Kim Harrison, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dead Witch Walking   "Readers eager for the next book in Patricia Briggs's Mercy Thompson series may want to give Faith Hunter a try."-- Library Journal   "Hunter's very professionally executed, tasty blend of dark fantasy, mystery, and romance should please fans of all three genres."-- Booklist   "Hunter is an expert at creating worlds filled with intriguing supernatural elements and exciting scenarios; the latest Yellowrock novel packs a powerful punch."-- RT Book Reviews   "Seriously. Best urban fantasy I've read in years, possibly ever."--C. E. Murphy, author of Magic and Manners Faith Hunter is the New York Times bestselling author of the Jane Yellowrock series, the Soulwood series, and the Rogue Mage series. Chapter 1   He Ate Her Body While She Was Still Alive, Piece by Piece   Beast pawpawpawed, slow, across ridge of rock over creek. Silent. Good predator. Moving back paw into front paw track, paw prints overlapping in fresh layer of snow. Beast lifted snout and sniffed, breath in two white clouds in icy air. Wind blew own scent back, along path. Wind filled nose with musk of three male deer, upwind. Bucks did not see or smell Beast. Beast is best hunter.   But.   Biggest buck raised head. Sniffing. Pawing dirt. Eyes on tree bark where Beast had left mark before last pregnant moon. Where Beast had sharpened claws to mark territory. Old spoor. Beast had hunted along creek then. Was best hunter's old spoor still strong with threat? Had Beast made stupid kit mistake?   No. Beast is good hunter. Want big deer. Has much meat. Will have good blood and good organs and good belly fat. Beast hungers. Big buck is strong and healthy.   Pawed closer. Crouched. Eyes on other creek bank and deer below. Watching.   Snow covered ground, deep as Beast paw. Wet rocks were black, sharp as knife blade in hands of human hunter. Sunlight was low, angled. Reflection in pool of water below did not show Beast. Did not show deer. Was good hunting spot. Water splashed from small falls, crisp, like breaking sticks. Would cover Beast sounds.   Smaller male in male deer herd finished drinking. Leaped up bank to flat ground beneath Beast's perch. Beast waited. Finally, big deer dropped head. And drank.   Beast tightened crouch, pulling all body onto paws, shoulders high. Leaped. Shoved off with back legs. Stretched out front legs. Claws extending. Falling. Thick tail rotated for balance. Scent of buck rushed up. Heavy. Pungent.   Deer flinched. Hooves left ground. Buck leaped high. Away from other deer. Beast snarled. Not expecting jump. Whipped tail, swiveling body. Reaching.   Buck splashed into deep water. Beast missed.   Buck leaped again. Splashed hard. Hooves driving up far bank. White tail held high.   Beast fell.   Landed half in water.   Front paws missed rock just under surface.   Paws, legs, shoulders, head, slapped into water. And under it. Nose flaps closed, but not before water went up nose.   Front feet hit bottom, back feet hit bank.   Wrenched body back. Rear paws and claws dug deep into half-frozen muddy bank. Body twisted. Out of water. Blew water out of nose in loud snort. Spat and shook. Loose coat slid around muscular body. Flinging water droplets into snow. Blowing.   Beast whirled, searching for two smaller deer. They had vanished. Beast snarled at world. Screamed. Big deer must have heard or smelled Beast.   I hunger! Screamed again, sound echoing in hills. Chuffed in anger. Pounced up and down, paws sinking into half-frozen mud.   Deer did not come back. Prey was smart.   S